Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Monrovia Clean-Up Could Cost Half a Million Dollars

Clean-up costs for the City of Monrovia could be up to half a million dollars. http://goo.gl/Uykh6

- Brad Haugaard

Extra Curbside Green-Waste Collections | County Emergency Management | Big-Item Collection | Big Bins | Mini Police Copter

~ Athens will pick up extra green-waste this week. Just keep putting your refilled green-waste barrels out through Dec. 9. http://goo.gl/HWwb0

~ LA County announced today that it is activating its Disaster Hotline (1-800-980-4990) to report damage caused by the wind storm. You can also call 2-1-1. The press release says the county will use this information to get state and federal assistance. Also, it reports that the Office of Emergency Management "stands ready to ramp up if conditions warrant." [Opinion: Good, but, um, I think conditions warranted five days ago. For an emergency office, this strikes me as rather slow off the mark.] http://t.co/5cikr0OT

~ Athens will also pick up bulky items that won't fit in your barrels (you get two free bulky-item pick-ups per year). If you need to do that, call Athens Services to schedule a pickup at (626) 336-3636. http://goo.gl/HWwb0

~ Updated list of where you can take big branches and big-plant stuff (but not palm fronds): http://goo.gl/HWwb0

~ A pretty cool (though slow-loading for me) video of AeroVironment's Qube mini police-copter. http://goo.gl/x8dBl

- Brad Haugaard

99 Percent of Monrovia Power Should be Restored Today

April Soash, of the City of Monrovia, reported to the Monrovia Coordinating Council this morning that power should be on for 99 percent of Monrovia sometime today. She said city workers, Southern California Edison workers, and private volunteer contractors, such as Steve Pokrajac (She said if you see him, say "thank you, thank you, thank you") have been working together to get the electricity back on.

Kate Clark, a businesswoman on Myrtle, said that some businesses in the 300 and 400 blocks of Myrtle "can't hang on much longer." She said the broken poles are in places that are difficult to fix. Other council members suggested that businesses' insurance policies may cover some of the loss and Edison may be able to process claims for some reimbursement from the Public Utilities Commission.

Also, Soash said:

- Street sweeping should get back on schedule. The city crew from Canyon Park will be preceding the sweeper to take care of problems.

- Athens Services has been working "24/7."

- The city has been contacting disabled Monrovians to make sure they are okay.

Foothill Unity Center Executive Director Joan Whitenack said the center lost power only for one day, but kept its walk-in freezer locked down tight, so there was no spoilage. Still, she said, the Center could use more meats for its holiday distribution to low-income families. Ham, turkey, chickens and small roasts, if you can help.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Offices Open, Park Not | Careful With Contractors | Free Storage | Monrovia vs. San Gabriel | Green Dot

~ All Monrovia city offices and schools are open for regular business today. One exception: All wilderness access points, including Canyon Park, are closed until Tuesday. http://goo.gl/7y9tO

~ If you encounter any independent contractor who says he has been sent by the city, he hasn't been. Monrovia isn't endorsing or authorizing specific contractors. http://goo.gl/7y9tO

~ U-Haul offering free storage for wind victims. http://goo.gl/3m2xH

~ Monrovia vs. San Gabriel Saturday in football finals. http://goo.gl/hNV93

~ Green Dot hires John MacIlwaine as new Chief Information Officer. http://goo.gl/lDC5M

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Holiday Parade Set for Wednesday | Expert: Lee Died of Drug Overdose

~ Holiday Parade rescheduled for this coming Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. along Myrtle in Old Town. http://goo.gl/gB6H2

~ Psychiatrist says Felicia Lee died from overdose of GHB. http://goo.gl/laVVJ

- Brad Haugaard

Football: Monrovia Wildcats Over Covina 41-27 :-)

Monrovia Wildcats win over Covina, 41 to 27, according to San Gabriel Valley Tribune reporter Mike Robledo.

Game report: http://goo.gl/W2M4r

- Brad Haugaard

Regular Schedule for City Hall on Monday | Business Friendly Video | Will State Get Rid of Self-Checkout?

~ Monrovia Police Department reports that the City Hall should be back to operating on a regular schedule on Dec. 5, this Monday.

~ Here is the video that was played at the awards ceremony when Monrovia won its Most Business Friendly City award. http://goo.gl/uBwsf

~ Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, says self-serve checkout systems at supermarkets are probably doomed because the state is trying - because of union pressure - to legislate them out of existence. He said these efforts are particularly aimed at non-union Fresh and Easy markets. http://goo.gl/o2HXC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Y Reopens Saturday

On its Facebook page, the Santa Anita Family YMCA reports that its power is now back on and it will reopen tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 3) at 7 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

The Power of the Wind

I think this tree (at Encinitas and Hillcrest) is the biggest one I've seen that has come down. It blocked the street and pulled down power lines as well.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rudy's Mexican Food

Got the Burrito Colorado. Nice and mild and generously filled with meat and beans. The restaurant was really hopping. I think a lot of people have been going out to eat since the power is still off so many places.
- Brad Haugaard

Details on Monrovia Cleanup Efforts

Some clean-up stats from Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, from a press conference this morning:

- 5,138 Monrovia customers remain without power, down from 13,000 yesterday. So Cal Edison has been working around the clock.

- The city has lost about 252 trees, up from yesterday's estimate of 150.

- 31 cars have been reported damaged, up from 16 reported yesterday.

- 23 fences reported damaged, up from six yesterday.

- Still unclear on the extent of telephone and cable problems.

- New date for Holiday Parade still undecided, but the city has a tentative date of Dec. 7.

- There is still debris in the roads. Watch out.

But there have been no arrests, nobody taken to the hospital because of the storm, and no buildings "red tagged" (meaning they may not be occupied.)

Also, Lutz said that while City Hall staff may not be doing their regular jobs, they are on duty, and City Hall is sorta-open, if you need to pay a water bill you can do so at the front desk.

If you need help, call the city at (626) 932-5550.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Roll-Out Bins for Branches

Monrovia has a number of big roll-out bins (like in the picture) set out around town for residents to dispose of branches and other green waste, but not palm fronds, which mess up the branch grinders. Just set palm fronds next to the street; the city will have them collected.

The bins are at:

240 W. Foothill Blvd.

800 block of W. Foothill Blvd.

204 E. Foothill Blvd.

1300 S. California (2 bins)

148 W. Duarte Road (2 bins), in front of Santa Fe Middle School.

Monrovia vs Covina in Football | Murder Trial

~ Monrovia faces No. 1 Covina tonight. http://goo.gl/ab2rs

~ More on Monrovia murder trial. The drug GHB. http://goo.gl/ZXe8Q

- Brad Haugaard

Overview of Windstorm from City of Monrovia

Public buildings and facilities will be up and running by Friday morning, however schools, Canyon Park and all wilderness access will remain closed.

High winds that swept across Monrovia and Southern California on Thursday resulted in a Local and County State of Emergency due to the damage, including fallen trees, downed power lines and the closure of some public facilities.

On Thursday night, nearly 13,000 Monrovia households were among the 211,500 Southern California Edison customers still without power since Wednesday night. Edison officials asked for patience as crews worked to restore power for customers, though they have advised Monrovia residents that power would not return until Friday, possibly longer.

Internet and cable service had also been down, though it was expected to be restored by midnight Thursday. Winds hit speeds of up to 100 miles per hour in some parts of Monrovia on Wednesday, but the National Weather Service forecasted winds of just 25 miles per hour Thursday night.

In response to the damage, City of Monrovia Public Works, Police and Fire crews have been working around the clock. As of 8 p.m., city officials received nearly 470 calls for service, including 150 fallen trees, 16 damaged cars, 7 buildings with structural damage, and six damaged fences.

On late Thursday, Police advised residents to be cautious when driving. Much of the City was still blacked out as of 8:30 p.m. As of 8:30pm, traffic signals on Huntington Drive, Highway Esplanade, and Duarte Road east of Myrtle are working and power was restored to the City Yard. Residents are urged to steer clear from downed power lines. Fire officials also encouraged residents to have enough food and water to last for 72 hours, and to practice safety at home by avoiding heating the house with gas stoves, barbecues or the oven.

Closures in place for Friday include: Monrovia Unified School District Schools, City Hall, the Library, the Community Center, Canyon Park, and all wilderness areas.

- Brad Haugaard (city press release)

Downed Power Line

Things you must particularly never touch, or approach - power lines on the ground. This one on Hillcrest.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD Says: Charge Your Cell Phones | MHS Band Wins Competition | Gold Line Says Nice Things about Monrovia

~ Monrovia PD reports on Twitter that Southern California Edison has brought in crews from Arizona to help out. Also, the police suggest that if you do have power, use it to charge cell phones just in case power goes out later.

~ The Monrovia High School band placed first in the Savanna Field Competition last week. http://goo.gl/buexk

~ The Gold Line construction folks say nice things about Monrovia. http://goo.gl/uimO9

- Brad Haugaard

Judge Rules State Assembly Needs to Make Its Records Public; Victory for Portantino

A lawsuit that sprang from a fight between Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, and Assembly leadership has resulted in a tentative ruling that the Assembly must publicly release members' budgets and other legislative documents. The court said keeping them hidden violates the Open Records Act. Portantino had challenged the Assembly to make its records open. http://goo.gl/dGyhY

UPDATE: From a press release. Portantino said, "I am ecstatic that the court has given a sound decision that will benefit democracy and the taxpayers of California. ... This is a huge victory for transparency and accountability. Although I am saddened that the Assembly would spend precious dollars fighting to keep secrets, I am heartened and encouraged that the court saw through this unwise strategy and made a right and significant ruling. ... This issue is no longer about me, but is now about making Sacramento function better by using transparency to improve decision-making and the democratic process." A public hearing on the tentative ruling is scheduled for Friday in Sacramento.

Monrovia Schools to Be Closed Friday Also

Monrovia PD reports on Twitter that the Monrovia schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, as well. http://goo.gl/YsDfj

- Brad Haugaard

State of Emergency Declared - for Monrovia and LA County

Monrovia Weekly says a state of emergency has been declared for the city. I think that practically this means the city may be able to get some clean-up money from the state, assuming the state has any money, I suppose. http://goo.gl/9ayuZ . And now all of LA County is in a state of emergency: http://goo.gl/KPzGe